Suction plate machine



June '16, 1931- 2 w. c. JAY 1,809,352 I SUCTION PLATE MACHINE I Filed May 29; 1930 '4 Shbets-Sheet 1 1 gwr rnqgwa jizuezzlajt' June l6,- 1931. w. c. JAQY 2 'SUGTION Pia ATE MACHINE and lay 29. 19:50 4 Sheets-Sheet 2..

W. c. JAY

SUCTION PLATE HACHINB Filed Ba 29, 1950 4' sheets-sheet 3 a f\/ m R m- Wt. n hm \m.].@... w Q

June 16,1931,

w. c. JAY

SUCTION 15LATE MACHINE Filed lay 29, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 l Egalitarian 1e, 19131 V mac-am filed ma as,

'Thisf'invention relates to a machine' for forming articles, such, for example," as paper plates, from pulp, and has among otherolior trimniingsaid edges, Another object is to provide a machine in which Jpracticallythe entire area of the foraminous portion of the formersis'exposed .to the action of suc tion or compressiomthus making possible the production of more perfect articles than has I been possible heretofore. I

A further object of the inventionis to provide amachine capable of producing articles of a uniform grade'and thickness, and one which is capable also of producing articles of difi'erent sizes at the same time. a

Other objects of this invention will a pear v applied to each former around a'portion 7 in the specification and claims hereina ter.

' The machine-of'this invention-belon s to that class of'automatic machines for mailring ormolding'articles from pulp :in which co-1 operating foraminous molds orcformers, to v p I J 1,5,. .Fig. 1 is a long1tud1na1.sect1on, part 1 which suction isapplied, collect the. pulp and form or shape it-mto finished articles. 1 The particular embodiment of the machine shown in the accompanying drawings, isIODG which comprises a rotaryhead having innerand outer coaxial cyl ndrical portions or supporting arms, which carry, respectively, inher and outer series of complementary foouter series being capable of movement to,-

ward and from one another incooperative cylindrical portions so that as' the head rotates, the inner series of formers pass through the trough, whereas the outer series pass-on the outside thereof, or below the trough, The trough is supplied with a mixtureofpulp outer series of formers. r 1 As the head rotates, suctionand-compresof its periphe raminous formers. or mold members, arranged 1n pa1rs,-the formers of the inner andv 1 OFFICE-[F51 wmnum (2.1.111, or rmnannnrnu, r'nmvsvnvmm, Asst-6160a 'ro mm Peon...

uc'rs conromrmivor mama, or rnnannnrnm, PENNSYLVANIA, acoa'roaa suc'rronrra'rn mourns 1930. serial m. mas-4e.

this mixture is kept continuously mobile and? 1 i in an agitated state. Preferably, arr'endless- E belt or conveyor is positioned opposite the" pulp trough and also between thep'aths of movement of the inner and outer series of formers to receive the finished articles from;

sion are applied to the several series of formers at predetermined times, for the purpose of collecting pulp upon the foraminous portions of theformers of the inner series, maintaining the pulp thereon until the two series are moved radially into engagement with one another, transferring the articles from the inner to the outer series and maintaining them in position upon said outer series throughoutat least of the travel of the head, and then discharging thefarticle's onto the conveyor. During a portion of the suction' operation of collecting the pulp onto the -foraminous. portions or screens of the mner series offormers ormold members, and

whilcthese formers are submerged in the pulp, a constant blast of air or compression or rim to remove "anyloose 4 particles of pu p '(whiskers) which may -col'- elevation,"of one embodiment 'of'my imam; J

tion.

'Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the machine of Fig. 1.v

Fig.3isa' front elevation of the valve struc-J ture of the machine, shown onj'anyenla -ged' scale. I

Fig. 4 is 'anenlarged detail view of the pulp trough or tank and agitating means for the. pulp. I v

Fig.6 is a v ew of the i Fig. 6A "s a detail fragmentary sectional view, taken substantially along the line 6A 6A of F1g. 6, showing one manner of maintaining the closed mold members in alinement.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the inner former taken substantially along the line 77 of Fig;

Fig. Sis an enlarged fragmentary sectional;-

' view of-athe inner former.

Figs. 9 to 13 inclusive are diagrammatical. views illustrating the cycle of operation of one unit or pair of formers ofthe mac'hine.-

Before explaining in detail the present invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the two machmes supported in tandem relationdetails of construction and arrangementof. parts illustrated in the accompanying drawmfifiince the'invention is capable ofeother em understood that the phraseologylor terminology-employed herein is for the purpose of, deseriptimi and notof limitation, and it is: I I notin'tended to limit the iIH'BDtlOIl beyond the terms ofthe several claims hereto appendedas-considered-in viewof the prior art and v,the; requirements thereof.

.iI havezdescribed in general above'the con structionand operation of the machine shown 'in-the,-drawin'gs, that is, one unitof said maehme.-- Referring now particularly to the drawings-,iitwill beseen that I have shownbut-since" both machines are identical, a description of one will suflice. The complete machine isrshown .attheleft of Fig. 1 and ;-between-' the two machines there is provided a vertical standard or support 20- carrying asplit-adjustablebearing 21'wh-ich supports a horizontalzshaft 22; The shaft 22 is surrounded bya sleeve 23 which carries-a bull wheel or head :24 having a toothed periphery-25 which rotates with the sleeve and shaft; The;-sleezve and shaft have keyed to them a stationary valve 26 in the form of a disk prowided with a plurality of .valve. ports and passages therein. The bull wheel is also provided with 'a-plurality of passages which are adaptedat -regi'ster. with the ports and pas,-

sagginthe yalveldui'ing the relative rotation ofthe parts. The hull wheel and valve are .their relative positions by meansjof a detachable locking ring 27,which is secured-to the bull wheel by means of bolts,

or 'in any thersuitable manner. The front;-

face of the bull wheel 24: is provided with a (plurality ofdnner. hollow supports or arms ,28-andr a plnnalityof outersupporting arms or bracket members 29, for supporting the innerend outer formers or mold members 30 scribed.

I and-131- respective, hereinafterfully dee0 ,Thmbull wheel 24 with its attached'parts is rotated by reason of its toothed periphery. 25ibeing1in engagement with a worm 32 carried upon a rotary driven shaft 33, which may be driven by means of an electric motor, or

beis (Fig. 11

, iments andofbeing practised orcarried outginvarious ways. Also it is to be in any other suitable mannensoas to cause a substantially continuous rotation of the bull wheel or head and the several formers or mold units carried thereby. There may be,

however, a slight dwell in the rotation of the bull wheel during each revolution, preferably at-the point wherethe articles 'areshifted fromthe'innerto the outer set 'of mold mem- Referring particularly to Figs. 5 to 8 inclusive, the inner formers or mold members '30 are fixed in spaced relation upon the hol- .low supports or. arms 28, whereas the outer formers or mold. members 31 are each provided with a pair of rods 31a'which extend through--bushings-29aand which are provided-at. their outer ends; with cap pieces 31?), having journalledtherein rollers 31c. Coil springs 31d surround the rods and serve to-normally-maintain the mold members 31.

intheir-ou-ten position and in contact with v the sup'ports=29. Rubber-pads 310 are interposed between the springs and-cap pieces and act as. shock absorbing means when the machine is; in operation- 7 Each inner former or mold member 30 preferably comprises ashell which is secured by means of bolts-or the like 34 to the hollow arm 28; and comprises a foraminousface'or- This SCF6eD'1S.-

male" forming v screen 35. shaped to conform to the inner face of a plate to be molded by the machine. The shell of themember 30 is provided with a flange-30a which has an annular slotor groove 306' formed therein. Positioned above the flange 30a is an annular ring 36- having a fluted inner. periphery to form a plurality of'recesses 36a as best-shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

The ring 36 is provided with a semi circular.

slot or cut-out portion 36b which extends around one-half ofthe ring at its rear side when the mold member is travelling ina clockwise direction with its supporting arm. The ring 36 is also provided with an annular shoulder 360 on its inner surface toreceive theflange of the screen 35'which'is held in place therein by means of solder, or in any other suitable manner. Anothcrring 37 is provided and these two rings 36 and nular flange 40 and with an annular ring 41 held in position upon the flange by means of bolts or the like 42. The ring 4-1 isfiuted on its inner periphery in the same manner as the ring 36, above, and is provided with a shoulder to receive the flange'of the female forming screen which is held in place by.

soldering. .The screen 43 -confor'ms .-.to the exterior shape of a plate to be molded. In orderlto reenforce the screen member 43,51 metal ring .or perforated disk 44is. provided which is supported in place against the innerface of the screen by means of "a pluralityof threaded rods 45, -which. are threaded into the shell of the outer former ormold mem her. In Fig. 5 the inner-and outer mold members are shown separated-,' .whereas in Fig. 6 theyare shown in closed cooperative relation, and in this figure it will be seen 'thata layer of pulp to form a .plate' P- is interposed between the male and female screen members 35 and 43, respectively. Referring to Fig. 6A itwil l be seen that i I have shown one manner of maintainingthe mold members and 31 in alignment when they are in closed position. Such means comprises, preferably, pins'or studs 100, threaded into drilled holes formed in cars or projections-101- on the flange 40 of the outer mold member, which register with and fit within sleeves 0r bushings 102 positioned in holes 103 drilled in similar ears 104 extending outwardly from' the flange 30A of the inner mold member, when the mold members are :in closed position.

At the top of the machineandpositio ned" within the space between the inner and outer mold members'there is provided an. endless conveyor 0 (Figs. 1 and 2) which isa'dapted to receive the finished articles from the outer mold members and transfer them forwardly-f to a second endless conveyor or belt B which carries them away from the machine. The

" conveyor C is supported'in any suitable'manner, as by means of uprights 46 and brackets 47 at opposite sides of the machines. Beferring particularly to Fig. 2 it' will be seen that the conveyor C comprises a'pair of angle like 52 passes.

bars 50 in which are journalled rollers 51 over'which an endless belt offabri'c or the The .belt 52 is moved con-' tinuously in an outward direction in proportion to the rate'of speed of rotation of the mold members and their supporting struc- 50 I driven roller--53, for moving, continuously,

ture. Gooperating with-the conveyor Cis another endless belt conveyor'B having a the belt or a r011 54. This roller 53 is com nected with t e-ro'ller'5l in any suitable manthe articles from the belt 52.

* 'ner such as by means of sprockets and a s rocket chain shown generally 813-55 to drive t e conveyor C. The belt or apron 54 receives Positioned at .the bottom of the machine opposite theendless conveyor 0' is a pulp trough or tank (see Figs. 1, 2 and 4) is likewise positioned inthe space between the d paths of movement-of the inner and outer mold members. Positioned within" the pulp trough and s )aced from the bottom thereof s a pair of baflles or plates 61 the inner edges through the overflow p1 e of'which are curved downwardly and spaced apart at 62. Located in;the space between the bottom of the pulp trough and the plates 61 and'on opposite sidesof the space .62 is a pairof agitators 63. the shafts of which extend forwardly and are provided with "gears 64 that intermesh. It willbeseen that the front end of the pulp tank and the shafts of the agitators are carried by a support-'65 which is positioned at the front end of the machine and rests upon the floor. This sup-,

port is providedat its upper end with a overflowpipe 67 for the pulp- The ears 64 are preferably driven by an electric motor (not shown) through the medium .of a

"trough or space 66' towhich is connected an sprocket and chain shown as a whole at 68. Y

Pulp under pressure is carried through pipe lines 69 and admitted to the bottom of the pulp trough through a series of holes or nozzles not shown) which produce an additional or directional flow of the pulp. The agitators and jets or nozzles serve to maintain the pulp overflow of the pulp solution passes over the.

wall. 66a into thetrough 66 and then passes back to the main pulp upply (not shown) Positioned-preferably at the right hand side of the machine is a pair of vertical standcams 71 and box cams .7 3 mounted upon brackets 7 2 in such a manner as to be adjusted when desired about the rod. The box cams are preferably in the form of an angle bar attached to the lowerportion of the cams 71, and each" has a flange 73a'wl1ich is spaced from and ards or supports 70 (one only being shown in Fig. 2) which carry at their upper ends a rod-or pipe 70a, rigidly secured to the supports, said-rod or pipe supporting spaced substantially parallel to the facev of the cam 7-1. There is a cam 71 and a-box cain 73. provided for each annular series of outermold members. The box cams 73 insure the positive opening or separation of the mold members in the event the springs 31d fail to act.

The valve'member 2.6 is best shown in Fig.

3 and comprises a pair of circularly-disposed grooves or ports 7 5 and76. Both ends of the groove 76 are rounded off as shown at 76a,

whereas one end 7 5aof the groove 75 is rounded'oif and itsopposite end 7 5b-is .cut straight; across. A relatively smaller groove or port 77 is also provided in the inner face ofthe diskvalve and is positioned beyond one end'gof the port .76, and is'located at the same distance from the center of the valve as-the port 7 6. Between the port 75 and'the axis of the welve is a relatively small elongated port pr 4i? accesses groove78 which communicates with a'hole or connected with an outer. mold-members The orifice 79 which extends through to the back orifice 84is in communication with a sourceor rear face of the valve. Holes or orifices 80- ofiair supply through the medium of aasupand 81 extend throughthe rear face of the ply 1Z ipe-8 e1a;r: In certain positions 'during'the valve member and communicate with the inrotation of: the concentric arms carryin the-- ner and outer ports 75 and 7 6 respectively. inner;andouter moldmembers, the orifices A similar hole 82 communicates with the port 85 of the'respecti ve inner moldmemberswill 77. Another hole. or orifice 83 extends communicate with an orifice 83' in thevalve through the rear wall of the valve member member to which: air under pressure is 'sups and at 'a point beyond one end of the port 76. pliedthrough a ipe83a; this.pipe suppliyingx The valve is also provided with an inwardly what is referre to for: convenience as-rnoav and upwardly extending hole or orifice 84 mentary air pressure which is applied to'. (Fig. 1) which extends from the rear wall the inner mold members to'break the vacuums" to the face ofthe periphery of the valve memthereon and assistin the-transfer 'Of' the ar ber; ticlexfrom the inn'errto the outer-mold meme I It will be seen that the hollowsupporting b ub pt th a f; th i marms 28 whichcarry the inner mold memmemberbythe camfl, and-boxcam 73ibers 30, communicate by means of orifices or The air'pressure' for-the mairr and branch f passages 85 with the port 76 and that the pipes-95"and96;formin "apart of-the means" outer'mold members'31 are in communication for removing the whis ersduringthe suce with the port 75in the valve member through tion operation" of the machine, is supplied the medium of a passage 86 extending through a pipe-99which' communicates-with through the bull wheel 24: to which is conthe-"ort 78 in'the valve throughthe orificer79'w nected a U-pipe or coupling 87 which in turn 6 operation of the --machine'-is as fol- 25-lS attached to a pipe 88 having at its outer end lows z- 1 a condulet 89'. Attached to the condulet is a -Pul'p"is fed to the 'pulptrough through the main pipe .90 having branch pipes 91, each of feed lines or pipes 69,; and the agitators63 are which branch I pipes leads to its respective rotatedtocforce the pulp-fromrthe space be= outer mold member and is connected to the tween the plates or baflle's'fil and'the-bottom'r 8 3o shell thereof. The condulets 89 provide of thetrough fitltothespaceabdve said plates,

means :for the attachment of several pipes 90 the overflow' passing" outvover'the wall 6611"" if desired. Referring particularly to Fig. and into the space-or compartment-66' and 3 it will be seen that vacuum or suction is apback to the source of'supply through the over plied to the port 76 and to the inner mold flow pipe 67. IThe motor '(notshown) or.-- sa members by means of a pipe 92- and that 'vacuother suitablemeans is then set-intooperatiolr um or suction is applied to the port '7 5 by to rotateth'e. shaft33, the worm-gearmlQ-on means of-a pipe; or conduit 93 which comwhichis in mesh-with the'teeth 25 of'thebul-l' municate with said portsthrough the orifices wheel',-'thusrotating the bull wheel or"head- 8l and 80, respectively." Vacuum or suction and the entirestructure in'a clockwise dire'c- 40 is also applied to the inner mold members 30 tion .as shown by the arrow in Fig. 2. The" while they are submerged in the pulp to coloperation will be best underst'oodsb'y' refer-' lect the same and form the articles,ethrough ring to Figs. 9 to 13 inclusive which Show the medium of a suction or vacuum line com-' the complete cycle'of operations for oneunitprising the pipe 94 which communicates with or pair"of cooperating mold'memb'ers; As

4 the port 77 through the orifice 82. The inner the first inner moldi be'r. 30 enters'the -mol'd members are provided with means for pulp trough; vacuum is immediately-supplied supplying a-blastof air during a part of the theretoby'meansof the-pipe94 which com-' pulp collecting operation, saidmeans com- I municates', through the 'medium ofth'e prising'a main pipe 95- connected to the bull orifi 82;"pg'1 tg'77' and ;85, with the-hollow I to wheel 24 and communicating with the'port support'28 andflto=th'e. i-nteriorof'the 'moldc 78. This pipe'is provided with branch lines member30 l Just prior tothe time the mold" 96 which extend to the respective inner mold 30 leaves the trough" a blast of air is supplied member shells and which are connected to to the semi-circularslot-36b from'theairfeed! the flange 30a of the mold members and comline 99 through: the medium *ofthe orifice-1' municate with the annular space 30b and the 7 9; port 78-"and'mainand bra'nch; pipes 95:

s'lots'36band 39. I and 9 6.- Thus -itwill 'be:se'enf,'that during-a The outer mold members are each provided portion 'of the timesthatsuction isco'llectlnga with a blow-,ofi'connection for transferring pulp onto the foraminous-face13'5ofthe mold the finished articles from the mold members member, a blast of air is being applied to the to 31 to-the conveyor which 'comprises'a main rear half'of the periphery of themold m em 5 pipe line 97 whichfi's connected' to the ring ber so as to blow ofli any undesirable collec-' 27 and registers with the orifice 84 during tion or accumulation of pulp'fibre-(whiskers) every eighth of arevolution of the machine, at-this point. 'The movement of'the mold the-main 'pipe line being provided with a member itself is suflicient to remove orpre- ""plura'lity of branches 98 each of which vent any collection of 'loose pulp fibres or whiskers on the front half or portion of the mold. The'purpose of providing the ,mold members, on further rotation, reach the mold members with-the fluted portions 36a is to permit a greater area of the flange or edge of the article being molded to be subjected to suction than would be possible if the inner periphery of the rings 36 were solid. The cooperating pairs of mold memhers are maintained separated during the collection of pulp on the'inner. mold member.

After the inner mold member emerges from the pulp, suction is applied thereto by means of the suction pipe line 92, orifice 81, port 7 b and passage 85 and through the other connectionspreviously mentioned. It will be seen in Fig. 9 that the outer mold member 31 of the pair passes beneath or outside the pulp trough and during its passage'suction is also being supplied to its interior from the supply pipe or line 93 through the medium of the orifice 80, port 75, passage 86 and connecting pipes 87 and 88, condulet 89 and pipes 90 and 91. When the parts reach the conveyor it will be seen that they remain in their same relative positions; that the inner mold member carrying the layer of pulp passes beneath the conveyor C and the outer mold member over the top thereof. On further clockwise movement the roller 310 comes into contact with the cam 71 and the outer mold member 31 is moved into closed position in contact with the inner mold member 30110 form the article. A't this point, suction is still being applied to both inner and outer mold mem bers to extract the moisture from the pulp.

When the members are compressed together the orifice85 passes beyondthe end 76a of pipe 83a through themedium-of the ports 83 the port 76 andcuts offthe vacuum, while immediately thereafter a blast of air is ap plied to the inner mold member 30 from the and'85 which come into register at this point, thus serving. to break-the vacuum and assisting in the operation of loosening the plate from its positionupon the screen 35. As suction is still beingmaintained upon the outer mold, member 31 it will be seen that'the l molded article will be transferred to the screen former43 thereof. "On further move- Y the flange 7 3a, 'which,withthe coil springs 31d, functions to again return the outer mold member-to its position in contact with its supporting arm 29. I f

The moldmembers then continue rotating and as they reach the positionin'which-they are shownin Fig-12 it will be seen that the inner mold member. 30 is again submergedin j the pulp trough while the'outer mold member 31 with its supported'articlepasses below or outside the'pulp trough. Suction is of course being maintained on the inner and outer mold members and another-Iayerof pulp is collected on to the face of the inner mold mem-- her. This suctionis maintained and as the positions in which they are shown in Fig. 13,

a blast of air is provided to the outer mold" member 31 from the pipe line 84athrough the medium of the orifice 84. and the connecting pipes 97 and 98 to force the plate or other completed article P out of the mold member and onto the endless conveyor C. In this position the second la er of pulp collected b the inner mold mem r 30 is shown at X. t will beseen, therefore, thatthe first article formed, after being transferred from the inner mold member to the outer mold member as shown in Fig. ll is supported by the outer mold-member and is carried thereby for more than 180 of a revolution, thus permitting a substantial drying of the article prior to its discharge onto the conveyor C. J

It will be understood that any number of pairs of inner and outer'mold members may be carried by their-supporting arms dependent, of course,'upon the diameter of the mold operation of forming articles by the machine of my invention, "is a continuous one, and by reason of the fact that these articles are subjected to suctionand are carried by the machine, after being formed, for more than 180 of a revolution, are sufficiently dry before they are discharged .from the mold members onto the conveyor, without the necessity of employing any auxiliary drying means for them. i 7

Having thus described my-invention, I

claim: p

1. In. a machine for forming articles from pulp, in combination, a pair of complementary foraminous formers-,means for supplying pulp to saidformers, means for causing I said formers to travel as a unit toward and away from said pulp supplying mean s ,means for moving said formers toward and away from one another 'durin g theirtraveloas a unit, means for -'applyin g suction andc0n1- 5 pression tosaidformers respectively at-s11 1t{ ably timed intervals during their travel, and a conveyor located adjacent the path of travel of said formers and between the same when separated to receive the completed articles therefrom.

pulp, inco mbination, a pair of complementary foraminous formers, means for revolvw 2. In a machine for forming art1cles'from ing said formers as a unitabout a common axls, means for applying suction and com- I ably timed intervals during their revolution,

means for relatively moving said formers to-.

- ward and away from one another in a direction radial to said axis, and a pulp tank 10- eatedadjacent the path of travel of said formers and between the same when se-pa rated, whereby one of said formers passes through said tank and the other passes about the outer side thereof.

3. In a machine for forming articles from pulp, in combination, a pair of complementary foraminous formers, means for revolvsaid formers as a unit about a common axis, means for applying suctionand'compression to said formers respectively at suitably timed intervals during their revolution, means for relatively moving said formers toward and away from one another in a direction radial to said axis, a pulp tank located adjacent the path of travel of said formersv and between the same when separated, whereby one of said formers passes through said tank and theother passes about the outer side thereof, and a conveyor to receive the completed articles likewise located between-said formers.

- 4. In a machine forforming articles from pulp, in combination, a rotary carrier,-two annular series of oppositely disposed complementary foraminous formers arranged on said carrier coaxially therewith, means for rotating said carrier, means for applyingsuction and compression to said formers respectively at suitably timed intervals, means for relatively moving the opposite formers of the respective series toward and from one another in a radial direction at certain points during their travel with said carrier, and a ulp tank located between said series of ormers at a point where the latter are separated. 5. In a machine for forming articles from pulp, in combination, apair of complementary foraminous formers, means for revolving said formers as a unit about a common axis, means for closing said formers upon one another and separating the same as they are revolved, a pulp tank disposed in the path of one of said formers, and meansv forapp1ymg suction and compression to the, respective formers, said respective parts aforementioned being so constructed, arranged and timed that suction is caused to be applied to said last named former during its passage through said tank and throughout at least 180 of its travel thereafter, that said formers are closed upon one another and while they are closed compression is applied to said first named former and suction to the complementary former, that said formers are aaaoassa that thereafter-compression is-appiield-to'said complementary former. r T v 6; Ina machine for forming articlesifrom pulp, in combination, a pair =of complementary .for'aminous formers, means ror revolving said formers as a: unit about a common axis, means for closing said fomners upon one another and separating the same as they are" revolved, a pulp tank located adjacent the path of travel OfnSflld formers and between the same whenisepara-ted, whereby one of said formerspasses through said tank and theotherpasses'about the outerside thereof, and means for applying suctionzand compression to the respective formers, said respective parts aforementioned being so constructed, arranged, and timed that suction is caused to be applied to :said first named former during its passage through said tank and throughout at least they are closed, compression is appliedlto I said first named former and suction to-the complementary former," that said; vforrners'are separated priorto theira'rrival at said tank, that said suction. is maintained on said complementary former throughoutzsubstantially 180 of its travel beyond said tank, and that thereafter compression is applied to said complementary former.

.7. .In a machine-torforming'articles from pulp, in combination, aspair of complemen- =;tary foraminous formers, means fo-rrrevolv-' in said formers as a unit about 1a common axis, means for closing-said-formers upon one another and separating; the same -.as they are revolved, a pulp tank disposed inthe path. of movement of one of. said formers, means for applying suction and compression. to -the respective formers, said :respective parts aforementioned being. so constructed,

iarrangedgandtimed-that suction is caused to be applied to :said last named-formendur-v ing its ipassage through said tank and ithroughout at least 180. of its travel therc- ,rafterc-that-said formers are closed uponone another and whilethey are closed compression isapplied to saidfirstnamed formerand L suction to the complementary'former,'tl1at .said formers are separated,prior to'their .arrival at said tank, that said suction is maintained on said complementary iformer throughout substantially 180 of its-travel beyond. said tank, and that thereafter compression is, applied to said complementary former, and a conveyorarranged between said formers when separated to receive the completed articles from said complementary former when compression is applied thereto. 8. Ina machine for forming articles from pulp, in combination, a rotary head comprising inner and outer coaxial cylindricalportions, an inner series of fora-minous formers carried by said inner portion, an outer series amass:

:ried by saidouter portion and arranged respectively in pairs with and radially opposite v spectively tionary cam for supplying pulp to the several formers of the inner series, means for moving the individual formers of the several pairs toward and from one another as means for supplying pulp to the formers of one of said series, and means for applying suction and compression to the several formers of both series at suitably timed intervals as said head rotates.

9. In a machine for forming articles from pulp, in combination, a rotary head compris ing inner and outer coaxial cylindrical portions, an inner series of foraminous formers carried by said inner portion, an outer series of complementary foraminous' formers carried by said outer portion and arrangedfrein pairs with and radially opposite the several formers of the inner series, carriers for said outer formers mounted for radial movement in said outer portion, a stasuccessively engaged by the several carriers to move said outer formers toward said inner formers as said head rotates, a box cam for separating said formers, means the formers of one of for applying suction said head rotates,

said series, and means 'and compression to the several formers of both series at suitably timed intervals as said head rotates.

1 10. In a machine for forming articles'from pulp, in combination, a rotary head comprising inner and outer coaxial cylindrical portions, an inner series of foraminous formers carried by said inner portion, an outer series of complementary foraminous formers carried by said outer portion and arranged respectively in pairs with andradially opposite the several formers of the inner series, means for moving-the individual formers of the several pairs toward and from .one another as said head rotates, a pulp tank located between the cylindrical portions of said head at the 7 bottom, and means for'applying suction and compression to the several formers of both series at suitably timed intervals assaid head rotates.

11. In a machine for forming articles from pulp, in combination, a rotary head comprisinner, and outer coaxial cylindrical portions, an-inner series of foram-inous formers carried by said inner portion, an outer vseries of complementary foraminous formers carried by said outer portion and arrangedre and radially oppo-V site the several formers of the inner series, means for moving the individual formers of.

the several pairs toward 60.,

' ingpulp to the spectively in pairs with and from one another as said head rotates, meansfor supply-' formers of one of said series, and valve means operated by the rotation of said headfor applying suction and compression to thevseveral suitably timed intervals as said head rotates.

- means ward and away formers of both series at a --12. In a machine for forming articles from pulp, in combination, ing inner and outer coaxial cylindrical portions, an inner series of foraminous formers carried by said inner portion, an outer series of complementary foraminons formers carried by said outer portion and arranged respectively in pairs with and radially opposite the several formers of the inner. series, means for moving the individual formers of the several pairs toward and from one another as said head rotates, meansfor supplying pulp to the formers of one of said series, means for applying suction and compression to the several formers of both series at suitably timed intervals as said head rotates, and a conveyor located between the cylindrical portions of said head at the top.

13. In a machine for forming articles from pulp, in combination, a rotary head comprisa rotary head comprising inner and outer coaxial cylindrical portions, an inner series of foraminous formers 7 the several formers of the inner ser1es,car-

riers for said outer formers mounted for radial movement in said outer portion, a'stationary cam successively engaged by the several carriers to move said outer formers toward and away from said inner formers as said head rotates, a pulp tank located between the cylindrical portions of said head at the bottom, valve means operated by the rotation of said head for applying suction and compression to the several formers of both series at suitably timed intervals as said head rotates, and a conveyor located between the cylindrical portions of said head at the top. 14.; In a machine for'forming articles from pulp, in combination, a pair of complementary foraminous formers, means for supplying pulp to said formers, means for causing said formers to travel as a unit toward and away from said pulp supplying means, means for moving said formers toward and away' fromone another during their travel as a unit, means for applying suction and compression to said formers respectively at suitably timed intervals during their travel, and for; applying an auxiliary supply of compression to one of said formers during its passage through said pulp supplying means to removeloose particles of pulpfrom the 'Ipeiiphery of said former.

15." In a machine for forming articles from pulp, in combination, a pair of complementary foraminous formers, a pulp trough for supplying pulpto said formers, means for causing said formers to travel as a unit tofrom said pulp trough, means for moving said formers, toward and away from one another duringtheir travel as a unit-,'-and means for applying suction and said formers to travel; as a unit toward and away from said pulp supplying means, means formoving said formers toward and away 'from one another during their travel as a unit, means for applying suction and compression to saidformers respectively at-suitably illlltld intervals during their travel, and means independent of said suction and compression applying means for applying an auxiliary supplyof compression to a portion of the periphery of one of said formers While it is passing throughthe pulp supplying means toremove loose particles of pulp therefrom. 1

17. In a machine for forming articles from pulp, in combination, a rotary head comprising inner and outer coaxial cylindrical por tions, an inner former comprising a shell -3 and 'a foram-inous face carried by said inner portion, an outer former comprising a shell and a complementary foraminous face car ried by said outer portion and arranged radially opposite the-inner former, and means for 1.5 applying suction and compress-ion to said former zit-predetermined times, saidinner former having its shell provided with a fluted inner periphery, whereby a greater area of the foraminous face-thereof is-exposed to the. action of-suction and-compression.

18. In a machine for forming articles from pulp, in combination, a rotary head comprisinginner and outer coaxial cylindrical portions, an inner foraminousformer carried by said inner portion, and outer foraminous former carried 'by said outer-portion and arranged radiallyopposite the inner'former, a pulp trough arranged in the-path of said inner formerand through 'which said former o passes during the revolution of the rotary head, means for applying suction and compression to said formers at predetermined times, means for supplyingpulp to the: bot- I tom of said trough,and means in said trough for agitating'the pulp to maintain-its consi :2 nt circulation from the bottom toward the top of said trough.

19. In a machine for forming articles from pulp, in combination, a rotary head comprisso imr inner and outer coaxial cylindrical portions, an inner foraminous former carried by said inner portion, an outer foraminous miner carried by said outer portion and arranged radiallyopposite the inner former, a pulp trough arranged in the path of said in- 1 ner former and through-which said former passes during the'revolution of the rotary head, means for applying suction and compression to said formers at predetermined times, means for supplying-pulp to thebottom of said trough, exhaust means for the pulp positioned above said supply means, a

: prising-inner and outer coaxial cylindrical port-ions, an inner series of forammous formers carried by said inner portion, an

outer series of complementary foraminous formers carried by said outer portion and arranged respectively in pairs with and radially opposite the several formers of the lnner series, carriers for saidouter formers mounted for radial movementin said outer portion, a stationary cam successively engaged by the several carriers to move-said outer formers toward said inner formers-as said head rotates, said cam having a. portion adapted to separate said formers, a pulp tank located between the cylindrical portions of said head at the bottom, valve means operatg ed by the rotation of said head for applying suction and compression to the several formers of both series at suitablytimed intervals as said head rotates, and a conveyorlocated between the cylindrical portions of said head at the top.

In testimony-whereof I aflix my signature.

, WILLIAM .C. :JAY. 

